SFA chief executive Stewart Regan last night fired back at his critics and vowed not to let death threats derail his mission to revolutionise Scottish football.

Regan has been blasted by SFL clubs, Rangers boss Ally McCoist and punters for his role in dealing with the Ibrox crisis.

A number of SFL clubs claimed Regan’s words during talks about where newco Rangers could play were misleading and bullying in tone and some, including Raith Rovers, called for his dismissal.

Fans have bombarded phone-ins and messageboards with claims of weak leadership at the SFA as the Ibrox saga rumbled on, and Regan and his family have been subjected to abusive calls and threats.

McCoist’s weekend attack on Regan and the SPL hierarchy was scathing. Light Blues chief executive Charles Green was also seen to applaud when away fans at Brechin chanted an anti-Regan song.

If you look over the last few weeks, there has been a lot said. Quite a lot of it has been undignified and irresponsible

SFA chief executive Stewart Regan

Yesterday, though, the Hampden supremo claimed comments directed at him have lacked dignity and that he would not be deflected from modernising the game.

Regan said: “If you look over the last few weeks, there has been a lot said. Quite a lot of it has been undignified and irresponsible.

“We have to rise above that at the Scottish FA and do what we think is right.”

In a wide-ranging interview, Regan also scoffed at claims he’s in cahoots with Celtic chief executive Peter Lawwell branding such talk “complete load of tripe.”

The Englishman went on: “Rangers have had a period which they have had to overcome and get their game back on track.

“As far as their issues are concerned, they have been desperate to bring their fans with them. They have used opportunities to try to engage with those fans.”

Regan came under fire when it emerged he had briefed Hibs chairman Rod Petrie to speak to Green as the game’s leaders tried to accommodate newco Rangers within the Scottish structure.

But Regan is comfortable with the contents of the leaked email. He said: “I’ve been personally vilified for trying to be a marriage broker or a peacekeeper.

“There was nothing in that email which was secret in any way. All the parties in the Scottish game knew about it. I can go to bed and sleep at night knowing that all I’ve ever done has been for the good of the game in Scotland.

“I’m perceived negatively by Rangers fans, by Celtic fans and, after the leaked email, I’m perceived to be acting against the best interests of the game. Far from it. I’ve set out to drive change in this country and I’ll continue to do that.”

Regan was accused of scaremongering when he spoke to SFL clubs before the vote on Rangers and predicted a “slow, lingering death” for the game without the Ibrox side. But he defended that stance and said: “I tried to paint a picture of the financial consequences if Rangers weren’t at the top of our game and the challenges that would result for the clubs in the top division.”

Regan’s family remain in England while he works in Glasgow, and the SFA chief revealed he has received death threats.

But he has refused to bow to the thugs.

He said: “We have had visits from the counter-terrorism unit and I’ve had discussions with the police about my own safety.

“I don’t see why a small number, a minority of individuals, should get in the way of us delivering what is right.”